Authorities were called to the Allen Premium Outlets on Saturday afternoon to look into a shooting that left eight people dead and several more hospitalized, including a child as young as five years old.
According to the Allen Police Department, an officer was responding to an unrelated complaint when they heard gunshots shortly after 3:30 p.m. at the outlet mall.
An officer “engaged the suspect and neutralized the threat,” according to the police.
Nine individuals, including the shooter, perished in the incident. Seven people were declared dead at the site, and two more passed away in the hospital.
Nine people were transferred by the Allen Fire Department, but it’s possible that other victims were taken to hospitals by friends or family or by other organizations.
According to the police, four casualties are in stable condition while three victims are in serious condition.
According to a Medical City Healthcare spokeswoman, eight victims, ages 5 to 61, are receiving treatment at their facilities.
The Allen Police Department, Collin County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, and ATF were among the authorities that arrived to protect the area.
.@ATFDallas ATF personnel are responding to the active shooter incident at Allen Premium Outlets in Allen, TX. Allen Police Department is the point of contact and will release more information as it becomes available. pic.twitter.com/ntQXLIK4bs
— ATF Dallas (@ATFDallas) May 6, 2023
Shopper Recounts Chaos During Shooting at Retail Center; Police Confirm Lone Shooter and No Ongoing Threat
According to police, there is now no active threat, and they think the shooter acted alone.
Elaine Penicaro, who was out in public with her daughter shopping, stated, “We just heard all this popping. We were outside the Converse store.” “We all kind of stopped, and then a second later, just ‘Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop,’ and there were sparks flying like it was right in front of us.”
When they heard the gunshot, according to Penicaro, they ran for protection inside a store.
As police responded to the shooting, terrified customers sought refuge in the rear of establishments.
“Got boxes to shut the door because we didn’t know where the shooter was, mayhem and panic,” said Abu Akther.
When Akther heard gunshots outside an H&M store, he was with his wife and infant child.
He pulled a woman into the shop who he claimed had been shot in the side.
“At that point, she responded, ‘I don’t know why I’m being shot. What is happening? And I witnessed blood dripping from her abdomen, Akther remembered.
One witness stated, “I heard at least 30 gunshots in rapid succession.”
Investigators went through each establishment individually before allowing customers to leave with their hands up.
One man claimed to have emerged from sheltering inside an H&M store to find an unbelievable scene on the pavement.
“I had my headphones on and then I heard boom, boom, boom, loud shots,” the man claimed. “Bodies, like hidden under white covers.”
The tweet below confirms the news:
Authorities responded to the Allen Premium Outlets to investigate a shooting Saturday afternoon that killed eight victims and sent others to hospitals, with a victim as young as 5 years old. https://t.co/bHu44qSTMF
— FOX 5 Atlanta (@FOX5Atlanta) May 7, 2023
Mass Shooting at Retail Center
While they waited for loved ones to pick them up, hundreds of customers were forced to watch authorities rush the scene from across Chelsea Boulevard.
Sandra McKinley recalled, “We heard what we thought were fireworks, and then people running.”
Inside American Eagle, McKinley and her son Ryan, 13, were huddled.
She continued, “I think a lot of us were hoping, like, this isn’t really happening, you know?”
As people embraced while being reunited on Saturday afternoon, reality hit for hundreds of them.
On Chelsea Boulevard, a reunion point has been established.
The Allen Police Department advised folks to stay away from the area and posted on social media that an investigation was active.
The FBI is asking anyone with information on the incident or video to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
Following the incident, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued the following statement:
“Our hearts are with the people of Allen, Texas tonight during this unspeakable tragedy,” said Governor Abbott. “I have been in contact with Mayor Fulk and DPS Director McCraw as well as other state and local leaders and offered the full support of the State of Texas to local officials to ensure all needed assistance and resources are swiftly deployed, including DPS officers, Texas Rangers, and investigative resources.”
After the shooting, Allen Premium Outlets also issued the following statement:
We are appalled by the terrible tragedy that occurred today and indignant over the persistent violence in our nation. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and everyone else impacted by this horrific act. We appreciate the police officer’s bravery and all the first responders assistance.
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